[Federal Register: September 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 172)] [Notices] [Page 48615-48617] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07se99-57] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6433-5] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund Program AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit the following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): [[Page 48616]] Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund Program; EPA ICR No. 1803.02; OMB No. 2040-0185; expiration date June 30, 2000. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 8, 1999. ADDRESSES: A copy of the ICR may be requested from and comments may be mailed to Vinh Nguyen, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (4606), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vinh Nguyen (202) 260-0715; fax (202) 401-2345; E-mail at nguyen.vinh@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are the fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the recipients of assistance in each of these jurisdictions. Title: Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund Program; OMB No. 2040-0185; EPA ICR No. 1803.02; expiration date June 30, 1999. Abstract: The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-182) authorize the creation of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs in each state and Puerto Rico to assist public water systems to finance the costs of infrastructure needed to achieve or maintain compliance with SDWA requirements and to protect public health. Section 1452 authorizes the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award capitalization grants to the states and Puerto Rico which, in turn, provide low-cost loans and other types of assistance to eligible drinking water systems. States can also reserve a portion of their grants to conduct various set-aside activities. The information collection activities will occur primarily at the program level through the: (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/State Intended Use Plan; (2) Biennial Report; (3) Annual Audit; and (4) Assistance Application Review. (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement / State Intended Use Plan: The State must prepare a Capitalization Grant Application that includes an Intended Use Plan (IUP) outlining in detail how it will use all the funds covered by the capitalization grant. States may, as an alternative, develop the IUP in a two part process with one part identifying the distribution and uses of the funds among the various set-asides in the DWSRF program and the other part dealing with project assistance from the Fund. (2) Biennial Report: The State must agree to complete and submit a Biennial Report on the uses of the capitalization grant. The scope of the report must cover assistance provided by the DWSRF Fund and all other set-aside activities included under the Capitalization Grant Agreement. States which jointly administer DWSRF and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs, in accordance with section 1452(g)(1), may submit reports (according to the schedule specified for each program) which cover both programs. (3) Annual Audit: A State must, at minimum, comply with the provisions of the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996. Best management practices suggest, and EPA recommends, that a state conduct an annual independent audit of its DWSRF program. The scope of the report must cover the DWSRF Fund and all other set-aside activities included in the Capitalization Grant Agreement. States which jointly administer DWSRF and CWSRF programs, in accordance with section 1452(g)(1), may submit audits which cover both programs but which report financial information for each program separately. (4) Assistance Application Review: Local applicants seeking financial assistance must prepare DWSRF loan applications. States then review completed loan applications and verify that proposed projects will comply with applicable federal and state requirements. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The EPA would like to solicit comments to: (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Burden Statement (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/State Intended Use Plan 2000: 51 States x 400 Hours = 20,400 Burden Hours 2001: 51 States x 400 Hours = 20,400 Burden Hours 2002: 51 States x 400 Hours = 20,400 Burden Hours (2) Biennial Report 2000: 51 States x 275 Hours = 14,025 Burden Hours 2002: 51 States x 275 Hours = 14,025 Burden Hours (3) Annual Audit 2000: 51 States x 80 Hours = 4,080 Burden Hours 2001: 51 States x 80 Hours = 4,080 Burden Hours 2002: 51 States x 80 Hours = 4,080 Burden Hours (4) Loan Application Review 2000: 51 States x 20 Applications x 40 Hours = 40,800 Burden Hours 2001: 51 States x 21 Applications x 40 Hours = 42,840 Burden Hours 2002: 51 States x 22 Applications x 40 Hours = 44,880 Burden Hours Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; [[Page 48617]] complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Dated: August 30, 1999. Cynthia C. Dougherty, Director, Office of Ground Water & Drinking Water. [FR Doc. 99-23193 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P